Looping It Up: Celebrating the Art of Crochet

March is National Crochet Month, so we’re taking the opportunity to celebrate this beloved, creative hobby. If you are not familiar with crochet, it is sort of like knitting’s fun cousin. You still use yarn to make blankets, clothing, and other items, but instead of two needles, you use a crochet hook. Buzz friends share a sneak peek of adventures in the life of a crocheter!

What better way to give your fifth-grade class the perspective of American colonists having to make their own clothes than to teach your students to crochet? That is exactly what former West University Elementary teacher, Maureen Pflugfelder, did as part of her American History curriculum. (Ms. Pflugfelder retired in 2022, though she occasionally substitute teaches at the school.) She also started an after-school crochet club. “For me, crocheting with the students was a way to get them to problem-solve and develop their hand-eye coordination. They would chat and help each other while crocheting. It's quite social and a great way for people to connect. The students were really proud of themselves and their projects. Giving something you made to another person is truly an uplifting experience.” 

One of Ms. Pflugfelder’s favorite projects was helping a student who wanted to make a special Christmas present for his mom, who lived in Florida. “I helped him make a scarf and have it ready in time for the holiday. Another rewarding experience was crocheting many hats with a student. We got an instruction book of hats and started on page one and just kept going. He would stay after school and we would sit, talk, and work on the hats. He later started a crochet club at Pin Oak Middle School.” 

Thu-Hang models one of the many sweaters she has crocheted.

It wasn’t only the fifth graders who were inspired by Ms. Pflugerfelder’s crocheting. So were other teachers and parents including Thu Hang Dao-Jeanjean. “Back in 2010, when my son Nicolas started fifth grade, I helped Ms. Pflugfelder after school on Fridays with the crochet club. It was neat to see the fifth-grade boys meeting after school on Fridays to crochet.” Ms. Pflugerfelder introduced Thu Hang to the Potato Chip Scarf , a type of scarf that curls; it was named because its curls are shaped like Pringles potato chips.

“I made Potato Chip Scarfs for almost all of Nicolas’ and my daughter Isabelle’s teachers. My friends also got Potato Chip Scarfs for Christmas. I taught several friends of mine to crochet by teaching them to do the Potato Chip Scarf. Once they finished the scarf, they know how to crochet very well. “

Nicolas liked crocheting so much he even made booties for the giant stuffed animal dog in Ms. Pflugerfelder’s classroom. Family friend Amy Barnes introduced them to a pattern for making granny square afghan blankets. Nicolas made one for his bed and Thu Hang made a matching afghan for Isabelle. 

Lee Ann Butler created a cute owl that made for a very happy Christmas morning for Cate Butler.

Another friend, Lee Ann Butler, helped Thu Hang learn how to crochet sweaters. Thu Hang said, “I saw Lee Ann’s sweater collection and started making mine using her patterns. Now the tradition is that for our Christmas-card pictures every year, I wear one of my sweaters and the rest of the family wears the color that matches my sweater!” 

Thu Hang continued, “I’m proud of wearing something that I made or giving something handmade is more special than store bought. I even crocheted a Kindle cover for my Jazzercise friend [several years ago]. The kids are grown now, but I always enjoyed working on my crochet projects while I was waiting for them at swim lessons, karate class, or scout meetings.”

Thu Hang’s sweater mentor Lee Ann learned to crochet in the ’70s as an elementary student. “I saw another girl crocheting during indoor recess and it looked fun! I find that crochet brings me a great sense of calm. I think it is partly the repetition of movement, partly the joy of seeing a new creation as it flows from your own hands, but it is very soothing. It is almost a mindfulness exercise sometimes.” Lee Ann often donates hats that she has made.

“One of my favorite memories is volunteering to teach middle schoolers at Pershing Middle School how to crochet and the joy and excitement they showed was just amazing.”

Julie Jackson loves the special crocheted collar that her grandmother made for her.

Julie Jackson learned to crochet from her grandmother, Frankie Hartsfield. “As a small child, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother. She loved to do crafts and passed this passion onto me. One of my prized possessions is the crochet collar she made for me. 

“I had not crocheted in many years but thankfully my dear friend, Thu Hang Dao-Jeanjean, inspired me to pick up my crochet hooks and renewed my passion in crochet [about seven years ago]. Crocheting is such a stress reliever, and you can make so many beautiful items. Also, there’s a whole community of crocheters out there just waiting to discuss their craft and knowledge!” 

Maybe it is time to grab a crochet hook and give it a try. What better time than National Crochet Month?!